Effect of Dietary and Injectable Vitamin E and Selenium in Weanling Swine Antigenically Challenged with Sheep Red Blood Cells

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of supplemental vitamin E and (or) Se, provided either in the diet or by injection, on humoral antibody production in weanling swine after an antigenic challenge with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). In the first experiment, a 2 x 2 factorial design was used, with pigs fed either 0 or .5 ppm Se and 0 or 220 IU vitamin E/kg diet. The basal diet contained a natural Se and alpha-tocopherol content of .02 ppm and 7 mg/kg, respectively. In a second 2 x 2 factorial trial, 0 or 6 mg Se and 0 or 220 mg alpha-tocopherol were injected intramuscularly into weaning pigs fed the basal diet without supplemental Se or vitamin E. A fifth treatment group was fed a positive control diet containing both nutrients (.5 ppm Se and 220 IU vitamin E/kg). In both experiments, intraperitoneal injections of SRBS (1 x 10(8)) were administered weekly, with hemagglutination titers determined at these intervals. Hemagglutination assays indicated that vitamin E and Se independently enhanced the immune response, particularly during the latter weeks of the experiment. The combination of both nutrients, provided either in the diet or via injection, resulted in a further increase in hemagglutination titers, suggesting an additive response. Pigs receiving either Se or vitamin E had higher serum concentrations of the nutrient provided. Dietary sources of these nutrients resulted in greater serum and tissue levels than did injections.

The Effect of Subclinical Selenium Toxicosis on Pregnant Beef Cattle

“…Thus, a relatively narrow range of selenium concentrations must be maintained for optimal function of the immune system. 2,3,7,12,13,16,21,25,27,29,30,32 This study and results of a field investigation failed to clarify the association between subclinical selenium toxicosis and abortion/perinatal mortality. However, data from a limited number of animals suggest that current values indicative of perinatal selenium toxicosis (Ն3 ppm) may underestimate the resistance of animals to chronic selenium toxicosis and that marked elevations in hepatic selenium concentration (Ͼ9 ppm) may be clinically relevant.…”

“…2,14,21,32 Results from this study indicate that elevated selenium intake adversely affects several bovine leukocyte function parameters. Although outward signs of selenium toxicosis were not apparent, the ability of cultured lymphocytes to produce antibody following stimulation was significantly depressed in cows from both selenium-supplemented groups.…”

Effects of zearalenone in prepubertal gilts

“…The influence of this intoxication on these parameters are poorly described in the literature for pigs; however, there are studies demonstrating hematotoxic and hepatotoxic actions of ZEA in rats and mice (Maaroufi et al 1996, Abbés et al 2006, Stadnik et al 2009). The evaluation of SRBC antibody titers was used extensively in the literature (Peplowski et al 1980, Bonnette et al 1990, Rotter et al 1994 to study the immune response of animals. It is known; however, that the immune response to different challenges is extremely complex.…”

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on immune status and α-tocopherol in plasma of piglets

“…This is important in maintaining cell membrane integrity and immune status of the animal. Low vitamin E in piglets induces a variety of lesions such as skeletal muscle degeneration, mulberry heart disease (Van Vleet, 1980) and depression of immune function (Peplowski et al, 1981 ). Ullrey (1981) also reported that vitamin E may also play a role in the immune response to infection.…”